Self-orientating wipes dispensing nozzles and wipes dispensers having the same

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of wipes dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary wipes dispenser having a self-centering nozzle includes a container, a plurality of wipes contained within the container, a fluid for wetting the plurality of wipes, a receiving member connected to the container, and an outlet nozzle housing for holding an elastomeric outlet nozzle. The nozzle housing is connected to the receiving member so that the nozzle housing is movable between two or more positions. A biasing member is connected to one of the receiving member, the nozzle housing and the elastomeric outlet nozzle. The elastomeric outlet nozzle moves from a centered upright position, the biasing member deflects and biases the outlet nozzle toward a centered position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A wipes dispenser comprising:
 a container; 
 a plurality of wipes contained within the container; 
 a fluid for wetting the plurality of wipes; 
 a receiving member connected to the container; 
 a nozzle; 
 at least a portion of the nozzle having a dome: 
 the nozzle having a nozzle opening located therethrough; 
 the opening located in the apex of the dome; 
 the nozzle having an upper surface of the dome shape; 
 a nozzle guard located over a majority of the upper surface of the dome; 
 the nozzle guard having a guard opening above the nozzle opening; and 
 wherein the nozzle guard is configured to eliminate or slow the wear of the nozzle opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
       3. The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle comprises silicone. 
     
     
       4. The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle guard opening is substantially the same size as the nozzle opening. 
     
     
       5. The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a socket connected to the container and the nozzle is connected to a ball that is retained by the socket. 
     
     
       6. The dispenser of  claim 5  wherein the socket is connected to a lid that is connected to the container. 
     
     
       7. The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a biasing member configured to cause the nozzle opening to return to a center upright position. 
     
     
       8. The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the biasing member is a resilient member located below the nozzle. 
     
     
       9. The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the biasing member is a weighted member and gravitational forces urges the nozzle to the center upright position. 
     
     
       10. A wipes dispenser comprising:
 a container for holding a plurality of wipes and a liquid for wetting the wipes; 
 a container cap; 
 a socket secured to the cap; 
 a nozzle secured to a ball; 
 the nozzle being made at least partially of silicone; 
 a nozzle opening located in an upper portion of the nozzle; 
 the nozzle having an upper surface; 
 a nozzle guard surrounding at least a portion of the upper surface of the nozzle; and 
 a nozzle guard opening in the nozzle guard; 
 the nozzle guard opening at least partially surrounding the nozzle opening; and 
 wherein the nozzle guard serves as a wear guard and eliminates or slows wear of the nozzle opening. 
 
     
     
       11. The wipes dispenser of  claim 10  further comprising a biasing member for urging the nozzle opening toward a centered position when the outlet nozzle is not in the centered position. 
     
     
       12. The wipes dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the nozzle guard opening is larger than the nozzle opening. 
     
     
       13. The wipes dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the nozzle guard opening is larger substantially the same size as the nozzle opening. 
     
     
       14. The wipes dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the nozzle comprise silicone. 
     
     
       15. A wipes dispenser comprising:
 a base; 
 a nozzle secured to the base; 
 the nozzle having a nozzle shape profile; 
 a nozzle opening located in the top of the nozzle; 
 a nozzle guard secured to the base; 
 the nozzle guard having a nozzle guard shape profile; 
 wherein the nozzle shape profile and the nozzle guard shape profile are the same shape profile; 
 the nozzle guard having a nozzle guard opening; 
 the nozzle guard opening located above the nozzle opening; 
 the nozzle guard in contact with at least a portion of the nozzle proximate the nozzle opening; and 
 wherein the nozzle guard is configured to serves as a wear guard and eliminates or slows wear of the nozzle opening. 
 
     
     
       16. The wipes dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the nozzle shape profile and the nozzle guard shape profile are dome shaped profiles. 
     
     
       17. The wipes dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the base is movable with respect to a top of a container. 
     
     
       18. The wipes dispenser of  claim 15  further comprising a container and a cap, wherein the base is secured to the cap. 
     
     
       19. The wipes dispenser of  claim 18  wherein the base is a ball and the cap contains at least a portion of a socket, and wherein the ball is retained in the socket. 
     
     
       20. The wipes dispenser of  claim 19  further comprising a biasing member, wherein the biasing member urges the nozzle opening to an upright center position.